Sir Wilfred Grenfell College is hoping to host Memorial University’s new president before too long.

While there is no date set yet, the college is working on making the necessary arrangements for Gary Kachanoski to visit the Corner Brook campus of Memorial well before he formally takes on the role in July.

Kachanoski was named Memorial’s new president late last week.

Holly Pike, Grenfell College’s acting principal, was in St. John’s last week, but her schedule was such that she was unable meet with Kachanoski, who was at the St. John’s campus for the announcement of his presidency.

“We have been in touch via email and he is hoping to visit our campus in the near future,” said Pike. “As soon as we can make suitable arrangements, he will be coming here.”

There are many issues specific to Grenfell which Pike would like to discuss with Kachanoski, not the least of which is the process of giving Grenfell College more financial and administrative autonomy than it currently has with its affiliation with Memorial University.

“One of the reasons I want to meet with him is to make sure he fully understands our campus and the issues we consider important, to introduce him to our strategic plan, let him see the whole campus and to have a mutual understanding of where we are,” said Pike.

Kachanoski seems to be well respected, commented Pike, who is looking forward to finally having someone appointed as Memorial’s president.

“I haven’t had any direct indication there is any connection between this position being filled and dealing with the Grenfell autonomy issue, but I think having the position filled will help foster action on a number of fronts in the university simply because the long-term leadership is in place,” said Pike.

One of those decisions which will have to be made is a permanent head administrator of the Grenfell campus. Pike was named Grenfell’s acting principal two years ago and said she is willing to carry on in that role for the foreseeable future.

“I’m committed to remaining in this position through to the end of next summer, if necessary,” she said.